Elderly fisherman fights off attackers with box knife

NORMAN, OK – Milo Box and his wife, Geraldine, have been married for 48 years and love to fish at Lake Thunderbird.

They were both at Fisherman’s Point Sunday night when a violent fight started between 72-year-old Milo and a group of boaters in their teens and 20’s.

The couple’s peaceful getaway was disrupted by a boat with several people in it blaring offensive rap music.

After standing by for weeks, Milo finally decided it was time to confront them.

Once the boat docked and with the music still blaring, he walked over.

“I said ‘My wife has already spoken to you about turning the music down because it’s very offensive and very loud.” said Milo. “You’re disturbing the peace and the people’s peace and there’s young children that don’t need to be listening to that music.”

In the next moment, Milo was on his back with three men beating him over and over again.

His wife witnessed the attack and was the one who called for help.

Geraldine said, “When I seen him on the ground, I went to screaming ‘You’re killing him! You’re killing him! You’re killing him!”

Because Milo has PTSD, the next moments were a blur.

Milo said, “I don’t remember.”

The 72-year-old war veteran fought off the young men with a box knife he was carrying, sending two of them to the hospital.

Geraldine said, “He goes into a defensive mode when he feels threatened.”

Sore and bruised but still alive, the couple is now recovering at their home.

They say if they could do it over again, they still wouldn’t change a thing.

“Milo did exactly what I did when he asked them to turn the offensive music off. It was their actions that created the incident.” Geraldine said. “He’s very lucky to be alive. Very, very lucky; It’s a wonder they hadn’t killed him.”

Milo said, “I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck.”

No arrests have been made yet, but Cleveland County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating.

They’re asking for anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.

As for Milo and Geraldine, they say this will not keep them away from their favorite fishing spot.